What is Smash Balloon?

If you are a WordPress user, keep reading. If you’re not, this tool is not for you because it is a WordPress plugin and only works for WordPress websites. However, we’ll find out soon through this overview how much it works for you.

Smash Balloon is a WordPress plugin designed to simplify adding social media feeds to a WordPress website. It supports various platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and review platforms. Even if you are new to the tool, Smash Balloon ensures that its interface makes it easier to navigate through the process.

One of the most admired features of Smash Balloon is its extensive customization option.
You can easily modify the widget’s color, themes, and layouts to match the website’s design.

Their powerful feed customizer offers a wide range of built-in features, making customization simple. This tool also provides a Live visual preview that allows users to check how their feed looks before it goes live on the website.

Rating

Meets Requirements

9.3

9.6

Ease of Use

7.7

9.6

Ease of Setup

Not enough data

9.6

Ease of Admin

Not enough data

9.7

Quality of Support

9.0

9.8

Value for Money

9.4

9.8

Product Direction

7.7

9.8

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Smash Balloon Reviews

Positive Reviews

Users have efficiently managed their social media presence on their website.
Many of the users have praised the Smash Balloon’s ease of use.
The plugin’s efficiency and seamless integration enhances its overall performance. While specific reasons are often not provided, numerous WordPress reviews recommended the plugin.

Negative Reviews

There is no for free available for the users.
The Free version of Smash Balloon may have restrictions on functionality and features.
Some users have reported that Smash Balloon has slowed their website’s loading speed.
Many users have reported that the plugin is not as user-friendly as it may seem, as they face difficulty using features like customization.
The backend implementation of feeds is considered essential or lacking in advanced features.
Some customers have experienced difficulties receiving timely support from the Smash Balloon team.
While the plugin claims to be SEO-friendly, some reviews have questioned its effectiveness.

SmashBalloon Reviews

Their support is very very arrogant and unresponsive. Even after 10-15 emails, struggling to get a response for a simple query.

3dsdresserdrawer

This has GOT to be the worst plugin I’ve ever installed. It literally installed 5 different plugins. Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook, Reviews, YouTube… Holy Crap!

DougM

Several customisable options are available on the free version to display your Instagram feed on your profile as a widget. However, the best layout options are only available to those who pay for the Pro version.

wildlovelyworld

However the back-end implementation for the feeds is remedial, and the support feels nonexistant as some of these features are not even working and I am having trouble hearing back from their team.

Julian A.

Smash Balloon's Paid plans are reasonably priced and offer more features, but It has some limitations on the free version of the plugin. But free and paid plans both work perfectly, and I am satisfied with using Smash Balloon.

Ayako Y

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It takes a little bit of fiddling to get it exactly as you like it, but no hard coding or anything OTT.

Kylie Archer

Smash Balloon Pricing

Note: The pricing mentioned earlier applies only to Facebook network sources. Smash Balloon has tiered pricing for each of the networks it provides. If you want to check out other sources' pricing, go to their pricing page. (PS—It’s complicated!)

Basic

$49/month

For the Basic plan users, they provide essential features like the ability to embed Facebook pages, photos, and videos in feeds. Users can also expect to allow visitors to view the content directly on-site in a full-size pop-up. The plan allows the users to showcase the posts' likes, shares, and comments on the feed. Users can also try out advanced layouts, such as multi-column masonry. Other features include using the feed for only one website and standard troubleshooting support.

Plus

$99/month

For the Plus plan users, suitable for websites with substantial traffic, they offer all the features available in the Basic plan. They also allow the creation of beautiful photo and album feeds from Facebook pages. Users can also display Facebook videos and create video feeds on their website. In this plan, users can also try out their filter option, which means they can include or exclude a post based on its relevance to the campaign.

Elite

$149 /month

For the Elite plan, which is suitable for large businesses, Smash Balloon offers everything included in the Plus plan. In addition to the Plus plan's features, they offer users the option to choose from the professionally designed themes they have created to provide a unique feed to the website. This Plan also allows users to display their Facebook content in a sliding carousel. The Elite plan in Smash Balloon is the only plan where users can get priority support from their customer support team.

Bundle

$298/month

Smash Balloon offers a significant discount on its All Access Bundle, which provides access to all of its plugins for WordPress websites. Originally priced at $598, the bundle is currently available for $298, representing a 50% discount. But let’s be real: Even with the 50% discount, the bundle is still a rip-off! This package includes Facebook Feed Pro, Twitter Feed Pro, Reviews Feed Pro, Instagram Feed Pro, and more. Additionally, the users will receive priority support. The pricing also claims that the users get access to all future products.

Smash Balloon Features

Collection:

Creating multiple feeds with Smash Balloon requires shortcode parameters, a technical hurdle that might confuse non-tech-savvy users.
Setting up the Google review widget with Smash Balloon includes a frustrating process- obtaining the Google API key.
However, with Taggbox, showcasing Google reviews on the website is a copy-paste-like simple process.

Themes And Customization

Users can customize the width and height of their social media widgets on the website.
They also have a drag-and-drop customizer to customize each of your Instagram feeds entirely.
Users can also use custom CSS to customize their feed through coding.
In addition, in high-paid versions, the plugin allows users to moderate their feed, removing irrelevant posts from the website.

Moderation

The filtering and moderation of Smash Balloon are offered to users based on specific words or phrases.
There is no further information about the feature on Smash Balloon’s website.
On the other hand, Taggbox provides users with manual and auto-pilot moderation in its lowest minimal plan. Taggbox’s auto-pilot allows the users to set up the rule, automatically filter the content, and showcase it on the feed.

Mobile Optimization

Smash Balloon resizes and optimizes images and turns them into the optimal size for the website.
By optimizing images, they reduce the file size without compromising quality. This results in faster page load time and improved user experience.
The plugin prioritizes speed by selecting the optimal image size for your site.

Let Us Do The Math For You

While Smash Balloon has a comprehensive set of features as a social media aggregator plugin, its pricing structure might not justify the value it provides users. The All Access Bundle is initially priced at $598 but offers a 50% discount for first-time users.

However, this plan is too expensive and overkill for users needing specific features. The tiered pricing for individual networks can also be costly for those using multiple platforms. While the Basic plan at $49 may seem affordable, users may need additional features offered in the Plus or Elite plans, which can quickly escalate the cost.

Furthermore, priority support is only offered in the Elite plan, which closes the door for lower plan users and frustrates the onboarding process. Even more frustrating is the absence of a for free in the plugin, preventing potential users from trying their hands on the plugin.

After the first year, Smash Balloon increased its process, surprising customers with unexpectedly higher renewal costs.

Whether Smash Balloon is worth the money depends on the user’s specific needs and budget. More cost-effective alternatives may be available if you only require a few basic features and are willing to sacrifice advanced functionality.

$49.00/mo

1 Website
1 Sources
Basic Support

$19.00/mo

Unlimited Websites
15+ Platforms (Pick Instagram, Linkedin, TikTok, etc.)
Manual Moderation + Auto Pilot
Review collection
Basic Support

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Smash Balloon Review